Goal 8: To assist institutions that have limited resources and that traditionally serve large numbers of low-income and minority students to continue to serve these students, and to improve the capacity of these institutions to provide on going, up-to-date quality education in all areas of higher education.

Indicator 8.1.1 of 1: Graduation Rates: Completion rates for all full-time, degree-seeking students in Title III 4-year and 2-year colleges will increase over time.

Targets and Performance Data

Assessment of Progress

Sources and Data Quality

The percentage of full-time, degree-seeking students at Title III institutions completing a 4-year degree within 6 years and a 2-year degree, certificate, or transferring to a 4-year school within 3 years.

Year

Actual Performance

Performance Targets

4-Year

2-Year

4-Year

2-Year

1996

37

18

1997

35

18

1998

34

21.50

1999

31.80

20.70

2000

35.40

21.70

2001

35.31

23.74

Status: Unable to judge

Progress: Although graduation rates have improved over 1998 levels, there is a slight decline (.09%) at 4-year institutions, but an increase (2.04%) at 2-year institutions compared to the previous year. This progress indicator will be eliminated. The new progress indicator will be based on the Performance Measurement System, with expected results available in March, 2003.

Explanation: These graduation rates understate actual graduation rates, as this analysis only includes the full-time, first-time cohort of students enrolled in degree-seeking (or certificate) programs, and only at the Title III institutions students initially attended. As a result, the graduation rates presented here do not include part-time, transfer, or returning students, which represent a significant portion of the student body at Title III institutions.

Limitations: In 2000-2001 data were voluntarily submitted by 86% of 4-year Title III institutions and 85% of 2-year Title III institutions. In addition, the data tends to be several years old.

Improvements: ED is currently implementing a new Performance Measurement System that will collect data that is more relevant to the impact that Title III projects have on academic quality at grantee institutions. Title III grantees are reporting to the measurement system for the first time and aggregate 2002 data will be available March, 2003.

Indicator 8.2.1 of 2: Fiscal balance: The percentage of Title III institutions having a positive fiscal balance will increase over time.

Targets and Performance Data

Assessment of Progress

Sources and Data Quality

Targets and Performance Data The percentage of Title III institutions having a positive fiscal balance

Year

Actual Performance

Performance Targets

Public Instructions

Public Instructions

1997

62.60

94.30

1998

70.80

89.50

1999

72.80

87.30

2000

67.10

83.80

2001

67.80

58.67

Status: Unable to judge

Progress: The 1996-97 data established a baseline for the Title III program with the goal of continuous improvement. In 2000 and 2001 there was a decline from the preceeding years.

Explanation: The percentage of public institutions has increased, although the percentage of private institutions has decreased. The number of private institutions included in this analysis has decreased significantly over time, which may be account, in part, for the decreased percentage of private institutions having a positive fiscal balance. In addition, the downturn in the national economy has had a profound impact on the fiscal operations at institutions of higher education.

Improvements: New Performance Measurement System will provide more relevant data on the impact of Title III grants on fiscal stability.

Indicator 8.2.2 of 2: Endowment: The percentage of Title III institutions having an endowment will increase over time.

Targets and Performance Data

Assessment of Progress

Sources and Data Quality

The percentage of Title III institutions having a positive endowment

Year

Actual Performance

Performance Targets

Public Institutions

Public Institutions

1997

47.60

1998

53.20

1999

54

2000

59.20

2001

59.13

Status: Unable to judge

Progress: The percentage of Title III public institutions with a positive endowment has increased by 11.53 percentage points since 1997.

Explanation: Of the 208 Title III institutions completing the IPEDS financial survey for public institutions, 123 institutions reported a positive endowment and 85 either did not report endowment information, or did not have an endowment. Data has been corrected to only include institutions reporting data to IPEDS and only institutions receiving funds during the reporting year.